MORE than 320 guests enjoyed an exclusive preview of this year’s floral delights at a glittering charity gala.

MORE than 320 guests enjoyed an exclusive preview of this year’s floral delights at a glittering charity gala.

Held on the showground on Wednesday night, the annual event is this year hosted by the Prince’s Trust.

A prestigious black tie event, the gala gives guests the opportunity to be first inside the Grand Floral Marquee, immediately after judging finishes and before the show is officially opened.

Guests, who paid £55 for tickets, arrived to be greeted with champagne, canapes and musical accompaniment in the Grand Floral Marquee.

They then enjoyed a four-course meal and were amused by the capers of the night’s entertainers, a trio called Bella Soprano who entered the marquee under the guise of inauspicious waiters and performed a mix of opera and calamity.

The Prince’s Trust invited their ambassador, antiques expert Eric Knowles, as the event’s special guest and the popular TV presenter went on to lead the charity auction and present the raffle.

Sharon Griffiths, fundraising and events manager for the Prince’s Trust, said: “It was a fantastic evening that raised a lot of money for the Prince’s Trust in the North West.

“We’re very grateful to Southport Flower Show for giving us this opportunity.”

Previous charities chosen to host the gala include National Children Homes, Macmillan Nurses and Queenscourt Hospice. Should you wish your charity to be considered for 2008 please email lisa@southportflowershow.co.uk